There are six new head coaches in Clark County high school football this season

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Editor’s note – In a five-part series, Clark County Today reporter Paul Valencia takes a look this week at new football coaches at Columbia River, Heritage, King’s Way Christian, Mountain View and Seton Catholic high schools

The first week of high school football practice can be a challenge for all coaches, even the most experienced ones.

There is a lot to coordinate, after all.

For new head coaches, that first week is a milestone, even if it is a little crazy.

There are six new head coaches in Clark County this year. Two have been head coaches before, while four got their first experiences of being in charge when the whistles blew for the first time, officially, for football practice.

Oh, most of the coaches have been working with their new players during the offseason workouts, spring and summer drills. But last Wednesday was the first official day of football practice. 

We visited all six new head coaches and their football programs last week. We also talked to a team leader from five of the schools. Here is an update on how things are going with the transitions at Columbia River, Heritage, King’s Way Christian, Mountain View, Seton Catholic and Union.

Seton Catholic Cougars

New coach: Dan Chase

Say hello to Dan Chase, the new coach. Same as the old coach. And the old coach.

Well, kind of. 

Dan Chase is the new coach at Seton Catholic. Again. And again.

Yes, this is his third time as the private school’s head coach. He started to program years ago. Returned for a gig. And now is back for more. This time, he stepped away from administration, got back into teaching at the school, and he said he wants to remain the head coach for years to come.

He loves this school. He loves this program.

“It’s super exciting,” Chase said.

A lot has changed through the years. A new campus. A new field. Lights at the stadium. 

One thing has not changed for Chase.

“The students are the same as Seton Catholic students have always been,” the coach said. “They’re fantastic human beings to coach. It’s just been a pleasure. A lot of fun.”

This 2023 team, by far, is the most athletic Chase has coached. The Cougars have some three-year starters. There are more than 50 players out for the Class 1A program.

“We have a lot more depth than we’ve ever had before,” Chase said. “It’s fun to notice all the different opportunities we’ll have.”

Joe Callerame, a junior standout for the Cougars, said the transition to playing for his former vice principal has been easy.

“Coach Chase has been with the program before. He knows how to get things done,” Callerame said. “I just love his character. He is a do-it-with-class coach. I respect that about him.”

Coach and player have playoff aspirations this year, too.

“My expectation is to come out and take it as far as we can, go as far as we can in the postseason,” Chase said. 

And compete for a league title.

“I think we’re going to do pretty well,” Callerame said. “I don’t want to say anything specifically about who we’re going to beat or anything, but I think we’re a lot better team than last year.”